Community Foundation of Henderson County

05/21/2026

CFHC is pleased to announce Brandon Baird as our new President & CEO, effective June 8, 2026.

A Hendersonville native, Brandon brings nearly 15 years of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Brandon’s connection to CFHC began during his college years as a scholarship recipient and now comes full circle as he returns to lead the organization.

“It is a tremendous honor to return to Community Foundation of Henderson County and serve the community I call home,” said Brandon. “I’m grateful for the legacy McCray has built, and I look forward to working with our Board, staff, donors, and community partners to carry forward the Foundation’s longstanding legacy of service to Henderson County.”

Please join us in welcoming Brandon to CFHC!

05/14/2026

Join us in celebrating McCray’s retirement!

Please note that our office will close at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, for the celebration. We’d love to see you there as we honor McCray’s incredible career!

Event Details:
Burntshirt Vineyards
3:30–6:30 p.m.

05/14/2026

Please join us in welcoming Shelby Milachouski-Kustak to the team as our new Office Manager!

A long time North Carolina resident, Shelby earned her Bachelor of Arts in Photography from UNC Asheville. She later spent three years at UC Davis as the Student Services Administrative Assistant for the Math Department. Having recently returned to North Carolina, Shelby is glad to be back home and is looking forward to giving back to her community.

We are thrilled to have Shelby on our team and look forward to the many ways she will support the Foundation’s work across Henderson County.

05/01/2026

Philanthropy Friday:
This week, we celebrated our new space with a ribbon cutting and open house. This space reflects our continued commitment to thoughtful stewardship and donors’ long-term investment in Henderson County and its surrounding areas. We look forward to welcoming the community to our new location.

04/30/2026

Please join us as we celebrate McCray’s incredible career as he heads into retirement! Stop by, say hi, and share your well wishes. We’d love to see you there!

04/24/2026

This Philanthropy Friday, we’re honoring the legacy of Perry N. Rudnick, whose passion for hiking, the outdoors, and conservation continues to shape our community. A grant from the Perry N. Rudnick Endowment Fund to Friends of DuPont Forest supported the purchase a vehicle to assist with ongoing trail maintenance and community outreach.

Perry’s vision lives on in projects that protect natural spaces and expand access for all, continuing to be an enduring example of how donor generosity can make a lasting, visible impact.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! Today we’re spotlighting Sherman’s Tree Fund, a grassroots effort that has helped keep downtown Hendersonville green and beautiful for more than 20 years. This legacy helps continue to keep our city green for generations to come.

04/17/2026

This Philanthropy Friday, we honor the legacy of one of our founders, Kenneth Youngblood, whose vision helped shape what the Community Foundation is today. Kenneth worked tirelessly to better Henderson County, and through his tenacity and generous volunteerism and philanthropy, he helped shape many local institutions. His legacy reminds us that a donation is more than a financial gift; it’s a reflection of passion and love for community. His impact will continue to inspire us for years to come.

04/16/2026

Check out this clip of David Holt and Josh Goforth showcasing a traditional Appalachian instrument, the mouthbow. This clip comes from the Legacy Remastered project by filmmakers Will and Deni McIntyre. With donor support through CFHC, this project releases never before seen footage that elevates local Henderson County musicians and Appalachian history. Congrats Will and Deni on reaching over a million views in less than a week!

Musician and storyteller David Holt onstage with Josh Goforth in 2016, sharing the story behind the mouthbow and his original song, "The Drovers".This clip i...